who to report to?

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odemae

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Advice needed please. The owner of 5 horses in the neighbouring field has been poo picking and throwing it in the adjoining hedge bottom, some has come through to our field. We are the owners of the hedge. We have indoor stables to which the back is approx. 1 yard away from the boundary. There is a pile against the back wall. Last night I asked in a polite manner to refrain from doing it, she got quite defensive and seemed she wanted an argument, but I didn't argue back. I explained the situation, she changed the subject and seemed ok. This is the first time I have met her due to being laid up for a long while and not being out & about. Apparently her husband is the aggressive one who has previously had some bother with my in law who lives where the yard is, entering his property and chopping his hedge down. Brother in law has heard bad reports about the man regarding previous history and people "he knows" so no further action was taken. I am now expecting backlash from this, but I won't tolerate bullying in any form but am not sure who to report this offence? to. Any advice would be welcome.
 
I think you might be on your own, as in there is no-one to report to. I would keep it strictly formal if he has a history of abuse (I guess that is what you are saying?) and write to them stating that throwing horse manure under your hedge and through on to your land is an act of trespass and they should refrain from doing it. Tell them you will be returning the said manure on to their land, and if any more should arrive on your side you will take legal action.
Fulfils more than one purpose - lets them know you are aware of the law, tells them you won't tolerate it but will deal with it in a grown up manner, and acts as preliminary evidence if legal action should become necessary. Sent it recorded delivery to have proof they received it. And take photographs - now, after you remove it and again if any more arrives.
 
If you got a nice local neighbourhood police officer perhaps have a chat to them and see if they'll have a word. I wouldn't threaten the law unless you know where you stand - there is no such thing as trespass in UK law.

Hopefully now you've mentioned it they will stop.

You could try environmental health although I found them as useful as a chocolate teapot in dealing with a neighbour who's septic tank overflows raw human sewage into our drainage ditch - they came out agree it was gross then said there wasn't anything they could do !!!
 
Take some photographs and time and date them as evidence.

Ask them to remove the poo's within the next 7 days or if they fail to do so you will get a contractor to do it and then you will re-claim the costs from them. Do this either verbally (with a witness present) but then write to them to confirm the conversation just write to them.

If you then use a contractor then take them to the small claims court to recover the contractors costs and your legal costs.

Keep a dated and timed record of any conversations you have with them just in case.
 
Not sure, but could this possibly constitute fly-tipping/illegal dumping? That being so, environmental health would be the ones to contact (though as Polo's Mum said, they are not always terribly useful - the application of a lot of pressure is required IME).
 
OWLIE185 said:
Take some photographs and time and date them as evidence.

Ask them to remove the poo's within the next 7 days or if they fail to do so you will get a contractor to do it and then you will re-claim the costs from them. Do this either verbally (with a witness present) but then write to them to confirm the conversation just write to them.

If you then use a contractor then take them to the small claims court to recover the contractors costs and your legal costs.

Keep a dated and timed record of any conversations you have with them just in case.
Click to expand...

This seems a good idea and last resort if they dont comply. Perhaps they just are thick and didnt realise how inconsiderate they were being. I suppose you could just chuck it back but thats probably not really a good idea(although I would feel like doing that). Do they think the hedge is theirs? But I think the above is an excellent idea(I personally would put it in writing and get it signed for at their end). Good luck hope you nipped it in the bud already. Just try to keep it friendly to begin with and see if you can appeal to their better nature. Then its up to you.
 
It's their land, they have been aggressive with other family members since their arrival, I was hoping that if I approached them in a friendly manner as they don't know me it was better than their usual method. But I am anticipating the husband to get involved and start shouting at me, in which case I will then call the police.
 
Can you block in the bottom of the hedge somehow to stop the muck rolling through ?
There's always the option of slinging it straight back over the hedge ( I would be tempted) but I suppose it might be alight blue touch paper thing.
Are you a Bhs gold member you could use the legal helpline for advise .
 
Goldenstar said:
Can you block in the bottom of the hedge somehow to stop the muck rolling through ?
There's always the option of slinging it straight back over the hedge ( I would be tempted) but I suppose it might be alight blue touch paper thing.
Are you a Bhs gold member you could use the legal helpline for advise .
Click to expand...

I'm with goldenstar... Get a catapult and fling it back into their field... Cheeky gits!
 
In my experience it's better not to agravate the situation and try to find a solution to it or you could end up with a 'poo war' and very unpleasant neighbours. Try speaking to them nicely again and suggest another solution - possibly putting the manure along another boundary or in piles or in old feed bags where it can be taken by gardeners
 
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